Why coilovers?

[Coldtoes]

I’m seeing more and more coilover kits coming out, like the Teraflex kit, and others. I understand that coilovers are easy to adjust (not on the fly, but to dial-in), but otherwise, what is the advantage?
Other than them being the top-of-the-line option, aka a cool factor.

Please enlighten me!

Sponsored

 

[Jefe1018]

I looked into doing a conversion at one point. Here's what I learned some if not all of it may be wrong, this is the internet after all:

The shock from the factory comes in a pretty good spot, but when you incorporate it with the spring body you are basically putting it in a position where it can be further extended and articulated. Meaning, it's for extreme stuff, sure it'll work better on moderate things, but the regular weekend warrior likely won't be able to tell the difference. With coilovers you can also manage preload, albeit probably not the best way to do it, but at the same time ride height.

 

[Escape.idiocracy]

I’m seeing more and more coilover kits coming out, like the Teraflex kit, and others. I understand that coilovers are easy to adjust (not on the fly, but to dial-in), but otherwise, what is the advantage?
Other than them being the top-of-the-line option, aka a cool factor.

Please enlighten me!

I would coilover the front but not the rear. My rear weight changes way too much to deal with Coilovers. My $0.02…

Coilovers/ori struts… ??‍ Coilovers for speed- ori for crawling- ori would be way easier to deal with on the rear for adjustability…

 

[Coldtoes]

I would coilover the front but not the rear. My rear weight changes way too much to deal with Coilovers. My $0.02…

Coilovers/ori struts… ??‍ Coilovers for speed- ori for crawling- ori would be way easier to deal with on the rear for adjustability…

OK, makes sense. But why coilovers up front? What do they bring that other upgraded shocks and spring combos don’t? Thanks!

 

[Coldtoes]

I looked into doing a conversion at one point. Here's what I learned some if not all of it may be wrong, this is the internet after all:

The shock from the factory comes in a pretty good spot, but when you incorporate it with the spring body you are basically putting it in a position where it can be further extended and articulated. Meaning, it's for extreme stuff, sure it'll work better on moderate things, but the regular weekend warrior likely won't be able to tell the difference. With coilovers you can also manage preload, albeit probably not the best way to do it, but at the same time ride height.

Interesting. A single line of motion control as opposed to two parallel lines with slightly differing length changes (shock being more outboard than the coil), is that the general idea? So it results in greater articulation. Is there some aspect that also gives it an advantage for daily driving, mild off roading? Thanks!

 

[Escape.idiocracy]

OK, makes sense. But why coilovers up front? What do they bring that other upgraded shocks and spring combos don’t? Thanks!

Spring rates are fixed. You can switch brand to brand for their spring rate, but you cannot impose preload on the spring like you can with a coilover. The rest you can match with good shocks ??

Outside of the spring rate adjustability- ??‍. If you have a spring rate that’s perfect for your weight and performance- then just hunt down a good shock.

 

[Escape.idiocracy]

I looked into doing a conversion at one point. Here's what I learned some if not all of it may be wrong, this is the internet after all:

The shock from the factory comes in a pretty good spot, but when you incorporate it with the spring body you are basically putting it in a position where it can be further extended and articulated. Meaning, it's for extreme stuff, sure it'll work better on moderate things, but the regular weekend warrior likely won't be able to tell the difference. With coilovers you can also manage preload, albeit probably not the best way to do it, but at the same time ride height.

I do not have any disagreements with what you are saying- totally agree from a flex perspective. I am curious then thoughts on the double throw down setup- coilover and bypass shock.

 

[Panthers65]

There are a ton of technology advantages to coilovers, but a well set up coilover and a well set up coil/shock package, all things being identical, will perform the same.

the biggest benefit for coilovers is packaging. If you are trying to crap a triple bypass piggyback 2.5" shock into an already low sprung 4400 car with high steering and extreme turning angles, the packaging itself becomes a massive issue. a coilover's ability to combine the coil and shock into a single bolt top and bottom only a few inches in diameter gives packaging options not available with the coil and shock separate.

 

[TheGrendel]

I do not have any disagreements with what you are saying- totally agree from a flex perspective. I am curious then thoughts on the double throw down setup- coilover and bypass shock.

So, the Double Throwdown actually flexes slightly less than their coilover only setup. That's due to the limit of of the bypass shock. The DT is really designed for folks that like to go fast offroad. The combination of coilover and bypass shock reduces shock fade and provides tons of adjustability for the perfect ride. If you don't have a place to regularly go fast offroad, the DT doesn't really provide much.

Now there will be folks that say you can do a coilover and bypass set up for cheaper than Evo. but, that comes down to things like can you fabricate brackets on your own? do you know how to tune a shocks? Part of what you pay for is the R&D from companies like Evo.

Sponsored